Learning Sciences

Hey everyone. This is the Science of Learning Research Centre. Researchers in education, neuroscience and cognitive psychology work together with teachers to understand the learning process.

We now know that practice is a key determiner on the way for being an "expert". In this video, Ellen learns how to dance with constant practice. Please check also how experts behave in the video because we know that being expert does not mean being able to teach. Again, enjoy it! :) Warning: There is a lot of exclaiming in the video and you are recommended to turn the volume down while watching it. I write this because I did not do so. :)

Practice Makes Permanent, Not Perfect =)

As the literature on expertise underscores, "thinking" or "metacognition" is a key factor in expertise. Dr. Cabrera, in this talk, discusses the weakness of 'encyclopedic' knowledge possessed by Ivy League students and harshly criticize them for they struggle to transfer those memorized knowledge. It could be said he addresses "a mile wide and an inch deep" approach taken by curriculum designers nowadays, which prevents deep understanding of issues that an expert is expected to have. According to him, "system is broken." As a result, he offers his own DSRP (Distinctions, Systems, Relationships, Perspectives) theory, which, in my opinion, summarizes what a "genuine expert" possesses in terms of knowledge transfer. Enjoy it!

Upon coming across this cartoon, I've felt an urge to share it with you because it touches on some relevant issues we've been discussing since the very beginning of the course. Please first click on the picture to enlarge it, and sorry for this inconvenience :)

Thanks for your share Yasin :) This cartoon reminds me of the education in Turkey. While areas like science, math, biology are thought to be important, unfortunately art, literature, music, dance etc. are underestimated. They are thought to be just hobbies and not enough attention is given to them. People interested in these areas are thought to be wasting their time or unsuccessful. Again unfortunatelly we cannot change this perception. I wish there were more people around me who were given the chance to show their talents and whose talents do not fade away.

You're welcome Seda :) It is even more depressing to know that this perception won't change as long as we live under today's economical perceptions. It is simply "be a part of the system or get ready to be called as marginal" :)

In this TED talk delivered by Nicholas Christakis, you can see how important the role of networks in our lives is. You will also be introduced to some visualization of network analyses which are gaining a crucial role in examining the connections among people or neurons.

SRI International research examines many of the topics we cover in class on learning sciences. Worth to check.

A simple 5-step guide for integrating AR into higher education

This link contains a small writing of Roy Pea, learning sciences pioneer. Putting on emphasis on the guidelines of mathematical education it also shares some ideas on how to use technology for mathamatic teaching. I find it interesting that although this is a 31-year-old document, ideas about teaching is quite up-to-date. Article contains ideas on the aim of the mathematical education which is to nurture problem solving skills and suggests softwares should be harmonious with this fact instead of drill and practice softwares.

Although not very insightful, this link shows one of the early findings of an ongoing research. Amy Shelton suggests building blocks use spatial reasoning skills, and found some distinctive behaviours with kids who are more competent with blocks than those who are not. Shelton believes training the braing early with such toys would impact children's adult life.

In this article Roy Pea, who is one of the pioneers of learning sciences, discussing how computers are changing our cognitive lifes beyond amplifying. Article first supports this proposition, then discusses implications of applying computer-based technologies into education. Lastly it suggests updating educational practices in order to be harmonious with this new emerging cognitive life. This article is also important for being quite early, it constitutes one of the foot stones of the learning sciences area.

Patricia Benner published a book whose name is Novice to Expert in 1982 and at that book she mentioned 5 levels from novice to experts. These levels are; novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient and the expert. All these levels and the book is about nursing but I want to share this short and funny video to you due to relating with expert and novices. You can examine the definition of these levels from the link below if you want; http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/nursing/projects/Documents/novice-expert-benner.pdf

Curiosity is an app that gives you detailed random facts in a daily feed on any topic (literally any topic: from the life of Pablo Escobar to what backfire effect is). It also has a great interface and visuals. This may not make you an expert, but definitely a jack of all trades.

plus it may give you a diffirent ideas for creativity and find your interests. looks great!

You can watch a deliberate practice experiment in action. Dan mcglaughlin who is trying sistematically test 10.000- hour rule. He want to an expert golfer. It is interesting and exciting an experience :)